Abidjan, Ivory Coast – Wilfried Zaha paid the price for recent disappointing displays as Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset omitted the misfiring winger from his 27-man Africa Cup of Nations finals squad on Thursday.
Zaha has endured a difficult year, scoring just four goals since moving to Turkish giants Galatasaray from Crystal Palace last summer.
And after some laboured performances in November friendlies against Morocco and South Africa, Gasset decided to cut ties with the 31-year-old ahead of the Elephants’ home continental showpiece.
“Zaha was the most difficult case. In the balance of the team, we have a lot of right-handers,” explained the veteran French tactician after confirming the former Manchester United man’s exclusion.
“During the recent gatherings I felt a player not very liberated. So it’s a choice of the coach.”
It marks the culmination of Zaha’s rocky relationship with his country after winning the last of his 31 Ivory Coast caps back in September.
He opted out of the mid-season gathering in Asia last year citing personal reasons amid suggestions he was considering retiring from international football to focus on his club career.
And by overlooking Zaha for this year’s tournament as the Elephants chase a first AFCON triumph since 1992, Gasset may have made the estranged star’s mind up for him.
Zaha will now concentrate efforts on reviving his form and fortunes with Galatasaray without further distractions of national service.
